Confusion

Coaches can’t call kids. Coaches can call travel or hs coaches and ask that a kid call them.  They can talk everyday if the kid calls the coach.  Coaches have eyes everywhere.  Someone may attend an event, take video for a coach and send it to them.  There are ways around the rules and all the coaches use them.

As explained, recruit initiated phone contact is permissible regardless of age or dead period.  As for the mechanics of kids being recruited at 16u and below, these players have stand out tools already plus a lot of projection left.  They typically already shine regionally if not nationally with well known travel teams.

The big clubs, both regional and national, are in regular contact with the college coaches.  It’s in both the college coach’s and the travel club’s best interest to network regularly to discuss the progress of kids who are already committed as well as what talent  the club might have in the pipeline coming up.

Travel coach tells college coach about the 14U stud that would love to attend Big State U some day.  College coach tells travel coach to have the stud call his cell at 5:30 on Tuesday.  They chat, relationship develops with regular check ins.  14U stud is also being courted by 2 or 3 other programs and things can move quick because Big State U doesn’t want their rival to commit him first.

The cautionary tale is the once 14U stud who stopped growing or stopped working or got hurt and is now 17U average player and he gets a very unpleasant phone call before signing day......

To add, generally a commitment does mean that specifics have been discussed and agreed upon about the financial support being provided by the baseball program (i.e. The offer). It is a gentleman’s agreement until the National Letter of Intent is signed in November of a player’s senior year in High School.

During COVID, coaches are relying even more on video and assessments of travel coaches/scouts.

Do a search for previous threads about recruiting. You will find more information than you requested.

A verbal offer is one man's promise to another, as is a verbal commitment.  It isn't legally binding, but it means a lot more than nothing.  I don't think a verbal offer or a verbal commitment is given lightly in baseball (football may be a different story altogether).  The vast majority of offers and commitments that I've seen have been honored, with the exceptions being a change of head coach, obvious lack of development of an early recruit, or a kid who was a flake.

Much more common is a poor fit between player and school that results in the kid being cut, never playing, transferring or quitting.  Avoiding this mis-step should be where you spend the next couple years of homework.  There are lots and lots of great threads (and people) on this site that can help.

Lots of good responses here already, but I'll add a little as well.

1. Early Commitments.  These guys have been seen early one way or another (travel teams, showcases, camps, etc) and when being seen, they showed prospective coaches something really good (their performance, their measurables, their frame/size, etc.) right then and there.  It was good enough at that time that the coach either thought: A) this kid is "there" or B) he will be "there" by the time he gets to me - projectability.

2. Dead Period Early Commitments. As others have said, everyone finds ways to get around the rules.  Don't let any dead period stop you from going 100% full throttle (assuming your skills are ready to be presented and garner interest).  When you're ready, get creative and find ways (and reasons) to get in touch with them.

3. Verbals. No one answer to these questions.  LOTS of variation.  While verbals aren't guarantees, they're the next closest thing to the day you actually get the schools' signing day paperwork in November (or later) of your senior year.  My 2021 son's first 2 verbal offers came in June.  Both were given to him via text message.  Zero specifics.  Something close to "I want to offer you right now.  Let's get you on campus for a visit soon."  My son wasn't super interested in offer #1 and it was from his summer travel ball coach who also coaches a JUCO team as his main gig. They were out playing ball this summer, so the visit basically had to wait.  But my son did have a larger interest in offer #2 and he visited 2 weeks later.  At the visit, my son was given a piece of paper that outlined his offer - what money he was getting.  I'm told not all coaches do that.  Many - at that point - will talk in generalities.  Like "we can give you 25%" or whatever.  My son's was very specific ($X for books, $X for tuition, 10 per week meal plan, etc).  Now, even though it was on paper and specific down to the dollar, it was still just a verbal offer.  Could've been pulled completely, truncated, augmented, etc.  When the NJCAA announced the 20-21 season would not count as a year of eligibility, I worried the offer would change.  But it wasn't and didn't and my son signed his LOI last month. 

It’s good to be loaded up with information. So, never be afraid to ask any question.

If you’re a D1 prospect chances are you know it. Someone knowledgeable in the game is telling you you’re a D1 prospect. Travel teams that funnel players to D1 programs will be recruiting you.

It’s always possible a D1 prospect drifts down to D2 or D3. There’s overlap in talent levels. Sometimes the player realizes he’s not going past college ball and the smaller program is a better academic fit.

For non D1 prospects post junior year is the big recruiting time. Maybe these players do something to get on the radar post soph summer.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The questions for this thread are ones someone new to the process typically wants to know. It’s better than being the poster who writes, “I wish I had know that two years ago.”

@Prospect2025 when your dad sends emails to coaches on your behalf tell him to not be so obvious.

Does the current club have a “National Team” or “Premier Team” at each age group where they funnel the best talent to compete in large regional or national events?  

@2025prospect posted:

@CTbballDad

My dad is not around. That’s why I came here to find out and learn about the recruiting process myself. Nobody to really guide me on what choices to make. These forums have seriously helped me a lot.

I stand corrected and highly impressed at your writing ability at such a young age.  Props to you.

Unfortunately, when it comes time for you to email coaches, you might need make some adjustments, as your written words come across quite advanced for your age.

Keep up the good work!

@CTbballDad posted:

I stand corrected and highly impressed at your writing ability at such a young age.  Props to you.

Unfortunately, when it comes time for you to email coaches, you might need make some adjustments, as your written words come across quite advanced for your age.

Keep up the good work!

Gotcha. Thanks for the tip too. Thinking about it now, it can come across as if a parent was writing it for me. Appreciate the tip

@2025prospect posted:

@RJM Thank you. My current travel team has lots of players now playing D1 and at all levels of college. They had 250 players from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 grad class commit to a college. However, this is because the travel teams has LOTS of branches in California. San Diego, OC, IE, SGV, LA, Central Valley, Nor-Cal and even Utah, Florida, and in the East. Should I try to move to a program that doesn’t have as many branches and still places lots of players at good colleges and develops them? Currently, exposure and college connections will not affect me but for the future it can. Current travel team has lots of connections but I feel that since there are so many branches, it will not help if a coach in the same program I have never played for has a connection since he has not seen me play. Another team I am considering has lots of connections as well and only has one branch. Has very well established connections with lots of West Coast Colleges. What should I do? Any advice is helpful, thanks.

What matters is the coaches who see you and know you either have contacts or can convince those with contacts in other parts of the country to recommend you. Chances are if coaches from the program in other parts of the country are willing to make a recommendation the college coach will speak to your coach. Be more concerned with who your coaches know. My son’s travel coach told college coaches about players who never expressed an interest in certain programs. He recommended them to college coaches as potential fits regardless. My daughter ended up playing softball at a college that wasn’t on her radar screen.

Teams are going to want to see you. Recruiting will likely be back to normal by the time you’re heavily involved. If they see what they like they will talk with your coach. Don’t expect to be recruited cross country without being seen. It’s not impossible. It’s very unlikely.

Don’t confuse the program you’re in with the team you’re on. I’ve seen lower level and B and C teams used as revenue generators for the business and then toss less talented 16u and 17u players overboard when they get to the legitimate “college prospect”  level. Every level in a quality travel program has to be earned.

@2025prospect

I do apologize for not responding to your pm better than I did.  You have received some good info to build on.

Just keep working hard on skills and in the classroom.

Not too much more to add, and not necessarily answering your questions, but here goes:

1)  baseballhs mentioned that coaches have eyes everywhere.  Play every game as if someone is watching.  If you are in podunk cornfield Georgia, play as if someone is watching.  There was a post years ago about a player that got referred to a college coach from an umpire that the coach had a relationship with.  (btw, son got his first serious look from the coach of his college in podunk cornfield Georgia).  Sometimes college coaches sit in the parking lot and watch players come off the bus at tournaments to see how the prospect carries himself.

2)  In a post above, there was a mention of "upside" of a prospect, and if the player will grow anymore.  For that reason, I wouldn't let keewartson grow a beard in high school, and explained why (tips from this site).   In those eyes,  it then looked really odd to see a player hit for power, sporting their facial hair, as a 16yo uncommitted player.

3)  Welcome to this site.  The members aren't all dads.  There are a good amount of moms here, giving great advice from their experience because, like in my case, the dad knew baseball but not the recruiting process.  There are a TON of dads on here too with great advice of course!    Reach out if you need to.

4)  Keep asking questions!  We are here!  Good luck!

@2025prospect posted:

Yes, current club has the national team. 99% of the players on that national team are on one of the branches in Southern California.

It sounds like you are with a good club with lots of connections that may someday work to your advantage.  For example, my oldest is a 2022.  He plays for a club similar to yours.  One of his top choice schools is in another region of the country.  His local club coach, who does not have relationships in that area, reached out to the national guy who does.  The national guy reached out to the recruiting coordinator for the school who then called local coach.  After they chatted local coach reached out to my 2022 and gave him the contact info and when to call.  2022 then began a direct relationship with a school four states away that he otherwise would have had no way to access.

When I was umpiring high school ball, a bunch of scouts showed up to watch a pitcher for one team and a rf strong hitter on the other at a summer game the week before draft.  Before the game, I was talking to several pro scouts I knew and they were asking me about the two guys.  I told them they were missing the best player on the field.  The SS who played with RF never played travel but was a great all around player.  During the game, he hit 3 HR's off the stud pitcher and made 2 crazy plays up the middle.  Around the third inning, one of the scouts came to me between innings at the fence and wanted to know if I knew who his parents were.  I did and pointed them out.  Throughout my time umpiring, I had several college and pro scouts who would call me regularly and ask about players or if I had seen anyone they should be looking at.  The SS got drafted in 8th round and no one had known him before that game.  Never know how your life can change in one game.

@PitchingFan posted:

When I was umpiring high school ball, a bunch of scouts showed up to watch a pitcher for one team and a rf strong hitter on the other at a summer game the week before draft.  Before the game, I was talking to several pro scouts I knew and they were asking me about the two guys.  I told them they were missing the best player on the field.  The SS who played with RF never played travel but was a great all around player.  During the game, he hit 3 HR's off the stud pitcher and made 2 crazy plays up the middle.  Around the third inning, one of the scouts came to me between innings at the fence and wanted to know if I knew who his parents were.  I did and pointed them out.  Throughout my time umpiring, I had several college and pro scouts who would call me regularly and ask about players or if I had seen anyone they should be looking at.  The SS got drafted in 8th round and no one had known him before that game.  Never know how your life can change in one game.

Were you an associate scout? I’ve known, and known of umpires and coaches who are associate scouts. For those who may not know an associate scout gets paid when he submits information on a player to his affiliated team and that team drafts and signs him. Otherwise, he’s not paid.

2025, if you don't mind answering a few questions:

Where does your branch of your travel team rank in the organization?

Where do you bat in the lineup? What positions do you play?

Do you have any dream colleges, with or without baseball?

Have you seen many college games played?  (I'm guessing you already know that there are good to great teams at all levels in your backyard)

What level do you see yourself playing in college?

I was not RJM, not smart enough to know back then.  I should have been because I was giving leads to a lot of scouts in North Ga.  I also continued to get phone calls when we moved to Tennessee from guys weekly including when I stopped umpiring regularly and my boys were playing varsity baseball.